CLAIMS that parts of Manchester are becoming racial ghettos have been challenged by the city's first citizen.

Lord Mayor and Cheetham Councillor Afzal Khan has rejected suggestions by Trevor Phillips, chairman of the Commission for Racial Equality, that neighbourhoods are becoming defined by ethnic segregation.

Cllr Khan welcomed the debate on the structure of the city's communities but warned against an 'alarmist' approach and questioned the validity of the figures that Mr Philips based his views on.

Cllr Khan said: "While it is vital that we raise important issues for debate, we need to have a less alarmist approach. It would be useful to see more hard facts from Britain: many of Mr Phillip's statistics were drawn from America.

"I believe that we need to encourage better understanding and greater interaction. We need to make sure the lower spectrum in society, and that includes poor white people, have better opportunities."

Cllr Khan referred to regeneration initiatives in north and east Manchester and the city's history of absorbing people from a variety of races, cultures and nationalities.

He said: "A flourishing economy is both a magnet for migrants and an engine for their assimilation. In Manchester we have a city with a long tradition of immigrant communities and the vast majority have successfully settled: Irish, Chinese, Jewish, West Indian and Asian.

"The people who built Manchester were never afraid of change and today are readily embracing new developments. Walking through the city centre we quickly recognise the signs of substantial and exciting renewal and regeneration. All our communities are able to benefit from opportunities created in Manchester.

"It is a pattern that immigrants settle in areas that provide affordable housing. They may start off poor, but we can make a difference. Then they can grow in confidence and their energy goes on to revitalise the city, bringing new ideas, connections and economic development."

Cllr Khan, who has created a multi-faith chaplaincy at the town hall, made reference to the variety of cultural celebrations held in Manchester and highlighted the Cheetham Faith Festival as an example of communities breaking down barriers.

"In Manchester we celebrate St. George's Day, which is growing every year. I am not Irish yet in the last five years I have marked St Patrick's Day, by joining in the parade. We have a variety of events, parks and open spaces where we celebrate diversity.

"We have inter-religious dialogue with some 30 different multifaith groups working in Manchester. Cheetham Faith Festival brings all the major faiths together over three days. The Bishop of Hulme and myself are looking at how we can expand the Whit Walks to bring in all the faiths of our great city. That is why I love Manchester."

But Cllr Khan warned against complacency. He said: "Manchester is growing stronger and we embrace diversity but we cannot afford to be complacent. I am proud to be the first Muslim Lord Mayor of the city and it is a privilege to represent everyone."